CLEVELAND, OH – Denison University graduate Eric Colaco ’25 has been selected as a nominee for the 2025 Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year, as announced by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Colaco concluded an exceptional career with the Big Red this past spring after helping lead Denison to its first NCAA Division III College World Series appearance. A three-time NCAC Player of the Year and First-Team All-NCAC selection (2023-25), he earned All-America honors in each of his final three seasons, including 2025 ABCA/Rawlings Third Team recognition. His résumé also features 2024 D3baseball.com National Player of the Year honors, 2024 ABCA/Rawlings and D3baseball.com First Team All-America selections, and three straight First-Team All-Region awards.

In 2025, Colaco started all 48 games, batting .355 with a 1.027 OPS and .581 slugging percentage. He led Denison with 203 at-bats, 68 runs, and 31 stolen bases while collecting his third consecutive NCAC Player of the Year award.

Across his four-year career, Colaco established himself among the most productive hitters in Division III. He finished as the NCAA’s all-time leader in runs scored and set NCAC career records in hits, runs, doubles, at-bats, and stolen bases. He also graduated as Denison’s record holder in hits (302), runs (277), home runs (30, tied), doubles (75), triples (15), at-bats (792), RBI (211), total bases (497), walks (105), stolen bases (143), and games played (190).

The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards celebrate athletic excellence across Northeast Ohio. Award winners will be announced at the annual ceremony on February 5, 2026.